With British and Nato troops due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, clamour is growing to make an across-the-board offer to interpreters, who have not only risked their lives but are regarded as traitors by the Taliban.

Gen Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff, said: "British forces would not have been able to do their work effectively without the invaluable help of translators.

"While each case should be looked into on its own merits, there should, nevertheless, be a presumption to grant such residence in the UK or a third party country, if one can be found."

Paddy Ashdown, the former Liberal Democrat leader and diplomat, said that an offer of refuge in Britain was "the least we can do for men who've given so much to help save British lives".

The interpreters are supported by Alex Ford, who served in the RAF for 25 years, including time in Afghanistan.

He said: "Our job would have been impossible without them – they stood shoulder to shoulder with us in the line of fire. But while I've returned to a safe home here in Britain, they still face appalling risks for the help they gave us.

"It makes me ashamed that the Government hasn't the integrity to stand up for people who risked their all for us."

Asylum claims by interpreters are treated on a case-by-case basis, but supporters of the Afghans' cause want them to be offered a similar deal as Iraqis.

They were given the chance to apply for asylum in Britain or to take a financial settlement. The offer to move to the UK was taken up by 900 Iraqis.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are looking very carefully at how to make the appropriate provision.

"No decision has been taken, but our commitment to local staff remains strong."

Campaigners from Avaaz, a global action network which started a petition on the translators' behalf, highlighted the case of Abdul, a 27-year-old father of three who was forced into hiding with his family after he received a phone call from the Taliban calling him an "infidel spy".

He said: "Many of us have already been killed or injured just for doing our jobs. Many more of us have received death threats from the Taliban – and we all desperately fear what will happen when British troops leave."

Abdul said that when he tried to report the threats to the British, they told him to report the matter to his local police.

"But this was the same police force that has a fearsome reputation for corruption, kidnapping and worse," he said.

Translators, who work mostly in Helmand province, are paid more than £1,000 a month, but the risks are high. About 20 were killed in action, and dozens have been injured. Another five were said to have been killed while off duty.

Three Afghans sued the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, asking for the "targeted assisted scheme" in Iraq to be extended to Afghanistan.

In a statement to Parliament, the Ministry of Defence said that the Iraq scheme was "expensive, complex to administer and took little account of any individual need for protection".